Student Support: I learn about a student from the first conversation. The first step is to gather helpful information so I may do a better job and begin teaching effectively. I ask questions such as: Have you or has your child taken any music lessons in the past? Do you own a guitar now? What was your experience with the previous instruction? All the above questions and answers may assist me as their future teacher.  The first meeting with the student and/or the parent and child is very important. In our first meeting our rapport and learning environment are assessed and experienced most effectively by everyone. I listen to what the student recounts about their previous experience with music lessons. If there is no music lesson experience, I listen carefully as to why the student is interested in learning to play the guitar. When a student begins to learn, I help the student to achieve smaller goals so the learning is fun.http://www.edutopia.org/blog/project-happiness-empathy-randy-taran

One of the best tools in my teaching is the understanding that a student is always trying their best to learn. The student has the ability to teach me how to best teach them. My job is to listen to what the student is telling me through their word choices, mannerisms and what the student doesn’t say. All communication from a student is important as the student is the key to helping me, be a better teacher.

Lawrence Paul

(415) 424-5575